What can be done during bad weather in Istria?

• Visiting Traditional Taverns
• Visit Museums
• Olive Oil Tasting in Pula
• Wine Tastings and Wine Tours
• Truffle Hunting and Tastings
• Wellness in the Istrian Thermal Baths

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Istria is a popular vacation destination known for its enchanting beaches, crystal clear sea, and picturesque medieval towns. While Istria is a symbol of summer enjoyment, one might wonder what to do when the weather is not ideal for the beach. Fortunately, Istria still offers plenty of attractions even on rainy days.

Visiting Traditional Taverns

Istria boasts a rich gastronomic culture. Touring taverns from the north to the south of the peninsula offers an excellent opportunity to explore local specialties. In a cozy atmosphere, you can enjoy dishes such as fuži with truffles and homemade prosciutto, accompanied by the aroma of freshly baked bread, all seasoned with world-renowned extra virgin olive oils.

Explore Istria even on rainy days and allow yourself to spontaneously discover a tavern that will captivate you. Certainly, do not forget to pair your meals with local wines—Malvasia, Teran, and Muscat—to make your meal a complete gastronomic experience.

Visit Museums

Istria is rich in cultural treasures, from archaeological sites to ethnographic collections. Museums offer insights into the region’s diverse history, making rainy days ideal for educational visits.

The Istrian Olive Oil Museum in Pula is a unique place where, rain or shine, you can have an unforgettable experience. Located in the heart of Pula, just steps from the Arena, this museum showcases the tradition of olive growing and oil production through an exhibition that allows visitors to glimpse into the past of 2500 years and see how olive farming has evolved over time. During your visit, you’ll learn about various olive harvesting and processing techniques and find out more about modern methods.

You can use an audio guide in one of twelve languages or opt for a private guided tour. A highlight of visiting this museum is definitely the educational olive oil tastings, which will be discussed more later in the text. If you want to take home a souvenir, the museum’s gift shop offers a wide selection of the finest Istrian extra virgin olive oils and other local delicacies.

Olive Oil Tasting in Pula

After a walk through the Istrian Olive Oil Museum, which we introduced above, you can choose one of the guided educational tastings of olive oil.

Why is it important to try olive oil? By tasting, you not only experience the richness of flavors but also learn how to differentiate real quality olive oil. What aromas and flavors can you expect in extra virgin olive oil, and how do these characteristics change depending on the variety?

You can choose one of three tours: Green, Gold, or Platinum. This sensory experience will enrich and educate you.

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of olive oils of different qualities. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how olive oil is categorized and how to recognize genuine extra virgin olive oil because only it contains the health properties that positively affect our health and well-being, all of which you can learn at the olive oil tastings in Pula.

Wine Tastings and Wine Tours

Rainy days are ideal for visiting wineries. Istria, with its renowned vineyards, offers wine tours that delight wine enthusiasts. This is an opportunity to learn about viticulture while enjoying the tasting of Istrian wines. Particularly notable is Malvasia, a refreshing white wine with notes of flowers and almonds, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood. The red wine Teran, with strong aromas and a certain acidity, is enriched with notes of wild herbs and dark fruit. Muscat Momjanski, a sweet wine with pronounced fruity aromas, is ideal with desserts.

Istrian wines are highly valued for their close connection to family traditions. The production of wine in small family wineries reflects the preservation of centuries-old traditions. If you are visiting Istria during rainy days, we highly recommend visiting some of the renowned wineries that will enrich your stay:

At Kozlović Winery, you can enjoy excellent wines such as Teran and Muscat.

At Kabola Winery, you have the opportunity to try the unique Amphora Malvasia, fermented in clay vessels, which gives the wine a special touch.

A visit to Benazić Winery in Pula, known for its reasonable prices, warm atmosphere, and high quality of wine, will also be a great choice for rainy days in Pula.

Truffle Hunting and Tastings

Rainy weather is also ideal for the adventure of truffle hunting, especially in the rich forests of Istria. This activity includes searching for truffles with a guide and trained dogs, and ends with a tasting of this prestigious ingredient.

If you want to experience Istrian truffles, you can try truffle hunting with the Kotiga truffle-hunting family during one of the organized searches with a professional guide. You will learn all about truffles, truffle hunting, and the specifics of these products. After finding truffles, you will be able to taste them in some of the typical dishes of the local cuisine, which will be prepared for you.

A rich selection of truffle products from the Kotiga family, under the company name Miro Truffles, can also be found at the House of Istrian Olive Oil in Pula.

Wellness in the Istrian Thermal Baths

The thermal waters and wellness centers in Istria provide the perfect retreat for both body and spirit. Relaxing therapies, saunas, and massages are just some of the ways you can spend a rainy day.

In Istria, you can find a large number of hotels offering wellness services, especially notable are the Istrian thermal baths, located in the valley of the Mirna River. These baths also serve as a spa due to the spring water, which is a true natural treasure. This spring water is enriched with minerals such as sodium, calcium, and chlorine, along with ten other minerals. A distinctive feature of this water is its high sulfur content, which gives it exceptional healing properties. Additionally, in the Istrian thermal baths, a special medicinal mud soaked in thermal water is used, which serves as the basis for numerous therapies and for relaxation.

Rainy days in Istria do not have to be a reason for boredom. On the contrary, they can be an invitation to discover new adventures, whether it is cultural enrichment, culinary delights, or simply moments of relaxation.